Disaster Preparedness

2990 Redondo Ave
Long Beach, CA 90806
6/10/2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 20220610
Subject:
June is Pet Preparedness Month
City offers tips for residents to include four-legged friends in emergency planning
Contact:
Reginald Harrison
562.570.9450
Reginald.Harrison@longbeach.gov
Director
Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications




Long Beach, CA – June is Pet Preparedness Month, and the City of Long Beach Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is reminding residents that natural disasters affect the whole family, including furry friends. Pet Preparedness Month encourages residents to incorporate the wellness of their pets in family emergency plans.

“With Fourth of July around the corner, festivities with loud noises, flashing lights, and strong smells can affect your pet’s behavior,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “It is important to monitor your pet to ensure their safety and the safety of others.”

Residents are encouraged to include pet supplies in emergency go-kits in the event sudden evacuations are needed. Residents are also encouraged to register their pets with Long Beach Animal Care Services and microchip pets to make reuniting quicker and easier, in the event they are separated during a disaster.

Disaster Preparedness is providing a variety of outreach and educational activities throughout the month of June designed to inform residents about how to prepare their pets for a disaster, including:

  • Pet-Centric Business Canvassing – Informational flyers and brochures on disaster planning for pet owners will be available to the public at veterinary clinics, pet stores and other businesses that cater to animals.
  • Adopt-Don’t-Shop Exclusives – Adopt your next pet with Long Beach Animal Care Services! The first 50 families to adopt a pet will receive a free pet emergency preparedness kit (limit one kit per family).
  • Chat with Disaster Preparedness – Throughout the month, staff will host pop-ups outside of local pet businesses and at Rosie’s Dog Beach to provide residents with information and the chance to win prizes! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @LBDisasterPrep for up-to-date locations.
  • Learn from a Vet – A local veterinarian will provide information on ways to prepare your pet for a disaster and for the Fourth of July holiday. The recorded video will be available on Disaster Preparedness’s Facebook page.

How to prepare your pets for an emergency:

  • Keep veterinarian information and vaccination records in a safe place.
  • Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification information. Pet ID tags should contain name, telephone number and any urgent medical needs.
  • Microchip pets as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted under the skin in the animal’s shoulder area and can be read by a scanner at most animal shelters.
  • Bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home in a crisis.

What to include in your pets’ emergency kit:

  • At least seven days of food and water.
  • A photo of you with your pet that can help reunify you or prove ownership in the event you become separated from your pet.
  • Any paperwork with registration information or ID numbers.
    • Replace old food and medication and update photos and emergency contact information annually.
  • Sanitation materials such as litter/litter box, paper towels, plastic trash bags and a small hand shovel.
  • Pet toys, treats or bedding to help reduce stress.
  • A collar with an ID tag.
  • A crate or pet carrier.

For more information about pet preparedness, please visit the Disaster Preparedness website and follow Disaster Preparedness on Facebook and Instagram.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube.

About Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications
The mission of the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is to protect the lives and property of the community and its first responders by ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of emergency communications, and disaster preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery.